I’m so excited! We’re either driving tonight to Orlando or leaving first thing in the morning. Mostly it depends on how we feel this evening. But that specifically means that this is my LAST DAY at work for like…two weeks. It’s not that I don’t love my job, because I do, it’s more like I haven’t had a vacation in over a year and I need some time off! And…Disneyworld? Talk about fun!
I will miss the puggies, but they’re going to be having a blast at our Vet, Dr. Jere’s place - they will actually be staying at his house with his dogs sleeping on his couch. So they will probally not want to leave and come back home.
Terry has set up four timers for various lights and radios to come on at random times during the day for security. Not that we really have anything to steal. We just don’t want it looking like no ones home…you know?
We’re mostly packed, just a few last minute things to pack tonight before we go. I’m so excited! Oh, and don’t despair, we’ll probally post more on vacation than we’ve been doing in a while because we’re taking the laptop and I also have the ability to post from my cell phone…so check back frequently for amusing posts and pictures of us on vacation at Disneyworld.
So lots of big news around the manicdote household. First of all (and most importantly) Terry was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. This means a lot of changes for Terry…well, both of us, really. First of all Terry has had to cut out all the soda (Mt. Dew) that he used to drink. We’ve looked long and hard but currently “Coke Zero” has been the best-tasting choice for him. And I have to agree, it does taste pretty darn good! If blindfolded I’m not sure I could tell the difference.
The doctor seems to be hopeful that through diet, excersie and possibly some diabetes medication that he will be able to control it all. So cross your fingers…the “South Beach Diet” was recommended to us by his doctor and today is our first day on it. As you may or may not know, on the South Beach Diet one consumes more low-glycemic carbs, or good carbs, such as whole grains and vegetables. These are absorbed gradually into the blood stream as to not trigger the spikes in your sugar/insulin cycle.
I’m also doing the diet with Terry because (A) It’s supportive, (B) I do all the cooking and I’m not going to cook two entirely different meals, and additionally (C) I could stand to loose a few pounds myself. We’re in what’s called “Phase One” which lasts 2 weeks. It’s the most restrictive of the phases but it’s full of a lot of stuff I actually LIKE to eat so I don’t really feel like I’m missing out. I had eggs for breakfast, a salad with grilled chicken for lunch, and I’m going to have steak and broccoli for dinner with a dessert of jello. I’m not hungry. I know I’m only on day one but I’m pleased that I’m not already wishing for food that I can’t eat. I know those feelings will come but with someone actually doing the diet with me…I feel much more confident than I had in the past when it was just me. You know?
Outside of that not much else is going on. We’re still deep in planning for our upcoming trip to Disneyworld which happens in 13 days. HOORAY!!!
Oh, like I tripped and fell the other day. Well, about a week and a half a go. I fell right on my knee as I walked through a doorway - I swear I flew up into the air before soaring down and landing entirely on my left knee. I was wearing jeans so I got rug burn all over (painful!) and right now it’s like that sickly mottled yellow-purple bruise color all over it. But about a week ago I noticed that my foot was swollen.
I didn’t really think much about it as it’s been SO HOT here and humid here, but I started noticing that they were swollen in the MORNING! And my foot was getting so swollen it HURT. So my doctor wants me to have an X-Ray taken of it. Yikes!
I’m not afraid of having X-Rays taken but I’m afraid that one of the little bones in my foot might have broken - I can’t be wearing a cast right now…I’m going to Disneyworld! I hope it’s just a bad sprain or something. Although I just don’t know how I managed to sprain it. When I fell, I fell on my knee…I don’t remember hitting my foot? However the knee might have hurt so much that it overrided any pain in my foot. Who knows. Just keep me in your thoughts!
Also, I’m quite annoyed now. My boss here at work got “fired” on last friday because an employee filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him. Oh, the rumors that have gone rampant around here. What annoys me is that aparently he got fired over some supposedly “sexual” text message that he sent an employee. But aparently the entirety of it was that they were texting back and forth and she said that her boyfriend dumped her and he said that she could “do better”. That’s it. THAT’S “sexual harassment” these days? How insane is that!? I even heard that her and her father were out “celebrating” last friday night after he got fired. How tacky?
First of all - this employee is a total drunk and terrible at her job. Everyone around here believes that she only filed this lawsuit against my boss because she was probally on the chopping block and about to get fired herself. So it was just a “preemptive strike” as you might say. He was a great boss - ! What annoys me more than anything is that someone who actually cared about the company and was a hard worker was let go - but this girl who’s a terrible employe, barely competent at her job is still here. Seriously, I don’t understand this at all.
My point in even bring this up is that this boss was one of my main reasons for even staying at this job. It’s not a good job! The pay is terrible! The commute is really long. I went from making twice what I make, having an expense account, employees under me, a personal assistant, holding staff meetings, going on bsuiness trips, taking clients out - to being a “secretary“. I took the job because it was the first job offer I got here when I moved - but I KEPT the job because of my boss. He was a great boss and a great loss to the company. It definatly puts a lot of thoughts into my head like…why am I still working here?
*sigh* Oh, although on a happier note…Ruki is today’s PUG-A-DAY - ! Go see her and vote for her . She must be numero uno! My baby girl deserves no less. Click here to go see and vote for her! Thanks in advance! http://www.pugaday.com/
In conclusion, here’s a picture Terry took of Napoleon. It cracks me up because I love the expression (”What…another photo? I’m trying to sleep here!”) on Poley’s face. I also love that he’s using one of their bricks as a pillow (we’ve got bricks acting as stairs so little Ruki can climb into the litterbox). And don’t pity him. They’ve gone through about 6 beds (some EXPENSIVE!) in the last 6 months, and ruined all of them. So no more beds for them right now. They have a nice bath mat to sleep on. Once they get past their puppy-chewing-destroying-stage they’ll get a bed again but right now they’re bad little puggies and have to sleep on the floor. Although I don’t make them use the bricks as a pillow. That’s his choice. That’s how he rolls. Don’t you judge him!
Oh, and you can see his favorite toy, the “keys” in the picture- he’s even sleeping with them in his paws grasp (probally so Ruki can’t get them). Other favorite toys are “Sir Elephante” and the “Doggie Dumbell” you can see in the background.
Well, I’m still waiting to hear back on the biopsy, but I just wanted to drop a note and tell everyone how their thoughts and prayers have made me feel very loved.
No, haven’t heard about the biopsy yet - not supposed to hear until 5-6pm today.
I thought I’d post a few cute pictures of the puggies meanwhile.
Terry captured them while they were alseep yesterday. I love the disgruntled look Poley is giving the camera.
And it cracks me up that you can totally see how much Ruki uses Napoleon as her personal pillow. Isn’t she adorable?
Also, here’s one of my most recent layouts I scrapped. I’ll let everyone know as soon as I do about the biopsy.
Edit: Heard back from the doctor. They didn’t receive the results from my biopsy from the lab yet. Nurse advises me that I should hear back tomorrow night at this time. Ugh! The suspense is killing me!
Picture this. Hot Saturday afternoon, driving home from the vet’s office. We had taken Ruki in for her latest set of shots and to get her heartworm pills. She got a perfect bill of health and was announced to be in perfect health with a glossy black coat and a sunny disposition. The vet just fell in love with her. She is adorable and only 9 lbs at six months old. She probally won’t get too much bigger.
Well, we were driving home from this appointment, and little Ruki was sitting in Terry’s lap as my car currently doesn’t have air conditioning and we thought it would be cooler for her up in the front seat than in the back of my Honda Element in her crate.
Aparently they do this thing out here in Alabama where they randomly block off roads and check to make sure everyone has a current license/registration/insurance. And my insurance card is currently expired. (Long story, I won’t go into it. I have insurance, I just haven’t put the new card in my glove box). Well I could tell the cop was getting ready to write us up for a ticket when he caught sight of Rukia sitting in Terry’s lap.
He was instantly charmed, reached over to scratch her and then told us to just to remember to put the current one in the car, and let us go with a verbal warning. Hooray!
So we didn’t flirt our way out of a ticket…we pugged our way out of a ticket. Thusly, I have dubbed her my good luck charm.
Well, over the weekend (May 25th) - I had my birthday. And the few days preeceding it were spent in a frenzy of cleaning up the house for my father’s arrival…and I’m not sure if they were even here 24 hours and certainly only spent maybe 10 minutes at the house. *sigh* Isn’t that always the way it goes?
Nevertheless, I had an awesome, wonderful time on my birthday. And I got tons of birthday loot. First of all, my Mom sent me those gorgeous flours and balloons that were delivered on Saturday. (Pictures posted on that day from my cell phone). Cool! Flowers always make you feel special, don’t you?
And that day Terry gave me two early birthday gifts…some cookbooks that he’d got for me because he knows how much I love to cook and how much I love reading cookbooks. I got a really cool cookbook from Top Chef, and then I got Jamie Oliver’s new coobook called, COOK with Jamie. It’s really, really great. While a lot of what he cooks isn’t exactly to my liking, I really love a lot of what he talks about. A lot of what he’s saying makes sense and I love his sensibility of cooking. It’s really a gorgeous book and I love reading it and drooling over the photos.
I also got a wonderful gift certificate from Amazon.com from my Mom. I’m still trying to figure out how I want to spend it. I know I’m DEFINATLY getting a gorillapod. Those are wicked cool! And maybe one of Rachel Ray’s garbage bowls? I’ve been really wanting one of those. Or possibly a cutting board? The possibilities are endless! Endless, I say!
And without further ado, here are a few pictures taken this weekend with my brand NEW camera. That was my ACTUAL gift from Terry. Given to me with breakfast over coffee on my birthday morning. Is there any better way to wake up than freshly ground coffee, electronics and your man in boxers? (Mom/Dad, cover your eyes at that point!)
Poley, my first subject:
Ruki, who sat oddly patient while I fiddled with the settings. The photo is a little bright…but look at that CLARITY! I’m so impressed with this camera!
The pugs being impatient and wanting out of their crate. Immediately after this photo was snapped they were ordered “off” (to get down off the crate walls) and to “sit”. They’re not allowed up on the sides like that (even though the LOVE to do it). We’re trying to break them of the habit, but I thought I’d include a photo of what we usually see all the time instead of a beautified version of reality. And ignore the poop in the background of the shot in the litterbox. Reality is beautiful, damnit!
I love, love, LOVE this shot. Ruki is constantly doing this. When not asleep, she is usually walking around on her hind legs. Seriously. I need to get her on Letterman. She’s pretty talented! (Eek! Isn’t it adorable, too?!)
After my family showed up on Sunday, May 25th, we went off to dinner at Mikata (Japanese Steakhouse) which was a lot of fun. There were 6 of us (always fun with a party) and a lot of people had never been to a place like that so that’s always cool…I hate going out with jaded cynics! And I’m such a goof! I totally forgot to take photos while we were there. Ugh! Anyways, later that night we had a great time hanging out at their hotel drinking beer/wine (and rootbeer for me). We also had a red velvet cake with all 31 candels and after nearly burning the place down we enjoyed a few slices. It was a great night.
The next morning we met up at a local Cracker Barrel restaurant for breakfast. We had a leisurely breakfast then afterwards we sat out on the front porch and chatted while rocking on the rocking chairs that they have for sale outfront. It was fun! Here are a few pictures from that time.
Me, my awesome father (recovered from his surgery! Thank-you for your prayers!) and Terry:
Here’s my cool Uncle Syd, my Dad and Terry. The men in my life. Well, except Poley, but I guess he doens’t count…?
Here’s a little bit of T & A for your day. Contain yourself.
I also finally got back to scrapbooking…created this last night. Fun!
It’s my birthday today! I’m 31 years gorgeous. Wish me a happy birthday! I’ll post pictures of my birthday loot with my new camera (shh…a little birdie told me I’ll be getting a new Sony!).
Here’s a video from a recent training session Terry teaching Napoleon & Rukia to go sit and then ”lay down”. How do you think it’s going? Let me know what sort of tricks you’re teaching your dogs to do! Oh, in case anyone is curious - the treat that the puggies are doing tricks for in our video is American cheese. They love it!
I haven’t posted many pictures of the pugs lately…mostly because I don’t think I’d taken any and also because there always seemed something more imporant to discus. But today it’s wall-to-wall Pug action. Prepare yourself for total cuteness. Are you prepared? Are you!!?!
Anyways, Here’s a few shots of them begging for treats. We’re working on a new “trick” - the sit and stay. They have a very hard time with this but cheerios and cheese are good motivators.
Here’s Napoleon looking adoringly at his Mama:
Rukia’s version of “down”…pug-rug style. That’s how she rolls.
Here’s Poley licking his chops after eating a few cheerios. Aww..he’s so cute!
Today on Maurey Povich: Suspicious Pug. Are the Cheerios real or the Wal-Mart knockoff. DNA tests are in!
Here’s my most recent layout…of Napoleon. Isn’t he adorable? I’m starting a seperate scrapbook just for layouts of the pugs. I know, I’m aparently one of THOSE people. But I haven’t started carrying pictures of them in my wallet, so I think I’m only like…HALF one of those people. I do talk to my pugs though. And have conversations. No, it’s not crazy at all. Don’t you judge me!
Hello dear readers. Guess what? No, I did not win the lottery, but thank-you for your prayers in that endeavor of mine. Alas…one day!
Although I did win the lottery with Terry. He is a wonderful, smart, handsome man. I love him! And my puggy babies. Aren’t they adorable? I took this cute photo of them in their new bed and put it through the computers “watercolor” effect. Rukia is a little blacked-out but Poley looks adorable. And you can see their newest favorite toy, Mr. Loofa, which we won from darling Clover’s (Clover’s Adventures) Mummy during the Pay-It-Forward. They totally loved it. And I forgot to get a photo of the treats she sent. They inhaled them and completely loved them. ALSO, the best part of the gift was the gorgeous sketches!
Here are some pictures of the sketches. Clover’s mom, Jess, also has some pictures of the sketches up on her blog. They’re totally awesome! Mostly because they’re of my little darlings, but also because the artist was obviously quite talented: First Napoleone when he was a little puppy:
And then Rukia as a puppy:
Also, I wanted to post my recipe for Chicken Salad Sandwiches. Consider it my Pay-It-Forward gift to all my readers. These sandwiches are TOTALLY awesome! People would pay for them!
Allison’s Chicken Salad Sandwiches (2-4 people depending on your appetite)
3 Chicken breasts
1/2 cup vermouth (enough to make liquid around chicken)
Spice mix (Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, season salt)
Olive oil (just a little drizzle)
Mayo (enough to coat)
1. Put a drizzle of olive oil on chicken breasts, rub on with your fingers. Then put spices on: Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder and Season Salt - this will create a pinkish paste over the chicken breast.
2. Pour some vermouth over chicken - this will make some sort of sauce that is loose around the chicken.
3. Bake at 375^F for about 30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (press with finger - meat should feel firm.
4. Cool chicken. Cube. Mix with mayo until desired texture. Add salt & pepper to taste.
5. Put on either a toasted hamburger bun or croissant. Enjoy!
Well, over the weekend (May 25th) - I had my birthday. And the few days preeceding it were spent in a frenzy of cleaning up the house for my father’s arrival…and I’m not sure if they were even here 24 hours and certainly only spent maybe 10 minutes at the house. *sigh* Isn’t that always the way it goes?
