my new layout . . .

Emme and Bogart (feeling better) begging for a little treat that they are no longer allowed to have!

Time for a change! I need to figure out how to get my favorite sites back on board and my side pictures--but this is good for now! I will add more later :)

update on our bogart boy!

Bogart's little pillow creation!

A few weeks ago our little guy, as some of you know, suddenly became very ill. We took him to his vet (Bruce!) where we found out that his liver levels were literally immeasurable as were his pancreas levels. We also found out that he has a very large cancerous mass on his liver--one that is not operable and probably slow growing. We had to hospitalize him for a few heartbreaking days. We did get to visit him and we were relieved to see that he was improving after the first day. He was not at all happy that we left him there. Though he did acquire quite a fan club during his stay!

Now he is home, on a special diet--one with NO treats :( However, he is permitted to have carrots and apples and fortunately all of the dogs LOVE their new treats. He went back for a check up and his liver and pancreas levels are still high but have returned back to his pre-diagnosis days. We are glad to have him home. We still have not moved their pillows out of our room . . . everyone seems to be just fine with their new sleeping place. And we are happy to listen to their little snores!

spring is coming!

daisies in our marvelous little antique tub

Ross has been so busy (and he loves it!) in our yard. And soon I will have garden and greenhouse photos to share! For today, here are more yard scenes.

And now for spring in the backyard. I wish I could capture our hummingbird friends! But I know you will use your imagination. . .

the hummingbirds like the pool aerators and the hibiscus flowers (hope that helps imagining)!

And spring has sprung in our front room . . . imagine that! Bogart does what he can to spread hopeful spring feelings in all aspects of home. thank you Bogart!

our little bogart . . .

Our little beagle boy Bogart is having some problems :( He began having some issues with arthritis a year or so ago--struggling to get up and walking with some stiffness. I was really very scared when this started happening so we whisked him off to Dr. Noe where Bogart received a prescription for Rimadel, one word--MAGIC! In fact we renamed his morning dose "magic crunchy" (because they are beef flavor chewables)! Seriously, after one dose our Bogart was back in action! And we have been forever grateful. Well, little Bo had some blood work a few weeks ago and we found his liver levels were extremely high. We started another medication and found out after yesterdays re-check that his liver levels are even worse.

SO, after speaking with our very caring dog sitter and then again this morning with Dr. Noe, we are going to try some natural remedies along with a prescription pain pill. Uuugghhh! The good news is that little bo does not have any other symptoms of liver failure. If anyone has any ideas or have heard of natural arthritis and/or liver remedies--please let us know. please!

our yard makeover!

Thank you Mandy and Michael for encouraging us to get our picture act together! Here are the before pictures prior to the yard re-do. I did not think our yard was so bad but these pictures paint a tired little space . . .


We also painted the house and added two bricks and matching paint to the fence. We now live with LOTS of privacy. Amazing what two bricks can do! Now for the best part . . .



And a little Ross plug . . . he is quite the guy and loves working in the yard--he even helps neighbors when he sees them working in their yard--wow! So I am attaching a picture of the front, too. We had it landscaped several years back but, Ross has made a lot of changes over the years and takes care of all of the maintenance! He is amazing! (oh, this is the paint prior to the new paint--brick is still the same!).

Coming soon . . . .

I have pictures!!! AND, I will post them very soon :) Check back for details (please).

Spread The Word To End The Word . . .

I was watching John McGinley (of Scrubs fame) on the Bonnie Hunt Show and I kept looking at his shirt thinking I would need to look up what this means: "Spread The Word To End The Word 03-31-09." Later on he explained his involvement with Special Olympics with his son who was born with Down Syndrome. While attending a Special Olympics Youth Summit in Idaho a group of athletes and John McGinley wrote a letter to Bill O'Reilly after the "r" (retarded) word was used to make demeaning remarks (to his credit, O'Reilly attempted to demonstrate sensitivity for the remarks). Advocates for The Special Olympics are now campaigning to end the use of the "r" word in a way that many have been accustomed to using for a very long time--including me. I am feeling very shamed as I cannot believe that I have so openly used this word for too long--and that I never gave enough thought to this!

However, I know I can change! This entire realization reminds me of my overuse and misuse of the term "gay." As a kid and teenager I would use the word to also make demeaning remarks about something that might look unfamiliar to me or to suggest that a particular person was doing something that I did not understand or agree with. But this changed when my very near and dear friend explained that he is gay. I could write a book about the way my life changed in the most wondrous way after that day, but I will abbreviate and, instead say that I stopped using "gay" and any word similar as a way to make unnecessary and painful remarks . . .that was almost 20 years ago.

Shamefully, I have used the "r" word and today I will stop. I love the notion of free speech and do not ask others to change their speech on my behalf, and that includes cursing/cussing, as I truly believe certain terms allow us to find our voice. However, utilizing terms such as retarded and gay, in irrelevant ways, serve one purpose and that is to strip the opportunity for everyone to have an equally relevant voice.

GOOD NEWS!!!

I (we--all the students in my program) just received this e-mail with very, very good news about our program! Advocacy, as Dr. Waldron says, DOES WORK! . . .

Professor Waldron:


Provost Capaldi has requested that I respond to your note to the President regarding the status of the MA in Communication at the West campus. In discussions with Dean Langland, it has been decided that this program, as well as several other master’s degrees, will remain operational at the West campus. Thank you for taking the time to advocate for the program. We truly hope that you will continue to build one of high quality.


Regards,

Dean Allison


Maria T. Allison, Ph.D.

University Vice Provost and Dean

Graduate College

Arizona State University

from a very dear friend . . . a much needed shove

A thought for the month:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask
ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won’t
feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us: it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.

– Marianne Williamson

our valentines!

Ross surprised me with these lovely flowers! I love them . . . and him . . . so much! I am keeping them away from any heater air so they will last a long and lovely time! thank you my love!

And I really wanted the flowers to take center stage but, playing around with pictures on this blog, I often feel as though I am trying to solve some sort of Rubik's Cube--aaahh! The alternative picture is the little dog and card I presented to Ross for valentines day! I wanted a little shlab dog, and I found one, but they were all gone when I went back :( So we have a little valentine beagle--with my add-on ribbon!

happy heart day!

The ultimate valentine doggies! Born to spread lots of heart :)

a champ and his adoring fans . . .

Stump is the newest, and oldest--at 10 years old--doggie champ! Coincidentally, or not, our doggies are now categorized as geriatric clients by our veterinarian Dr. Noe (Bogart insists upon calling him Bruce). So you can imagine their excitement when we all gathered around to watch the news of this amazing little guy! They always knew that anyone, especially the aged, could be a contender!

frustrated by budget cuts . . .

Over the course of the past couple years, as a student, I have wondered what could possibly be next to change during my academic experience. My tuition has increased every single year since I have returned as a student. This includes actual tuition increases along with fees and the creation of new student fees. My favorite fee--which I maintain is a crafty tuition increase--is the 3.75% fee given to students who "choose" to pay their tuition with a credit card. This means students are paying the universities bank fee (which is why students cannot use VISA to pay tuition since VISA will not allow merchants to charge for the use of their card--experience from my banking days). And then, last year, I realized that my parking privileges would cost anywhere from about $300 - $900 depending on where I "choose" to park--so I did not buy a parking pass. As a graduate student I am paying over $600 per credit hour in tuition and fees (and most classes are 3 hrs). Yes, this is getting painful. I know, boo-hoo, especially coming from someone who will always believe that regardless of how I attain my education, it will always be a privilege.

After reading today's press release I am feeling a bit sore (and sour) over the announcement of the many university wide cuts --mostly to any and all colleges that do not include hard science and engineering (and yes, engineering "consolidated" but remains fully in tact). My college was "consolidated" earlier this year and today my graduate program was completely cut. To clarify, ALL graduate programs at the west campus have been cut. And we are no longer ASU at the west campus but instead, "New College." What kind of name is that? What does this new college mean? WHAT?!

Today's announcement is the nightmare many of us who attend and, for those we depend upon (at the west campus), have feared for several years. My experience with some of the most brilliantly-talented-passionately-devoted faculty/staff/students makes the very deep gouges to the heart (my heart!) of education all the more unbelievable. I have watched as this university president and his devotees have steered this university on a very dangerous path in the name of growth. Nobody could have predicted that this would ever be our current position. However, ASU might have been in a better place to take this countries and state economic blows if the administration had not been so blindly focused on growing the university, and its debt, at such breakneck speed. What happened to expect and prepare for the unexpected?

Shame on Crow. Shame on ABOR (arizona board of regents) and shame on those who have told me, as recent as last week, that ASU's tuition is "still a really good deal compared to other universities." My response, as recent as last week, explained that every single increase has been difficult and, furthermore, we are NOT PRINCETON! We are still a state school and we have NOT been getting a good deal. Give me a break.

gorgeous perspectives from Gold Canyon . . .

Look! I just stole some holiday golf pictures from Mathieu's facebook. I love these!

I have never seen one of these in real life . . . a bobcat!

pushing hope forward . . .

i honestly had something else written for today but, that was before i watched our vice president and president officially take their newest roles in our country. i am speechless. and i am grateful for feeling optimistic again . . . that maybe, and I really stopped believing this, maybe we can be everything we really, really, want to be.

we love, love, love la famille Canada!

Here are a few pictures from our unforgettable/memorable/favorite-holiday-ever, visit with our Canadian family! Martine, Nelson, Jessica, Lise, Michelle, Madeline, Patrick, Mathieu and Valerie flew all the way from Montreal and Quebec to spend the holidays with US in AZ! They left very cold and snowy weather behind and came to see us during one of our wettest and coolest (I hesitate to use the word "coldest" in comparison to Canada "cold") holiday seasons in a very long time! We still managed a lot of fun and they even found a day of golf, horseback riding, a football game and, as you will see, we did get in some other AZ activities too!

The BEST part was seeing everyone and getting to TaLk and LaUgH and TaLk and LaUgH and love every single moment we had together. We still miss you guys! And we cannot wait to visit Canada . . . soon!!

Gift exchange on Christmas day . . . we played the exchange game and I stole my gift--the greatest coffee assortment ever (no picture--but you can believe me)!

Valerie and Mathieu with the most adorable frame box (and they gave it to us!!)

Martine with much loved ornament!

Uncle Michelle--lap gift!

Jessica!

Marie, Patrick, Valerie and Mathieu

This is one of my favorites with Patrick! (why?!!)

We ate dinner together every night . . . we even hosted hot dog night at our house! Somehow we did not capture that particular hd event on film---imagine hot dogs on a grill with my new favorite addition--TOMATOES!!

THE atv adventure!

Amazing quad of cousins!

Jessica and PatrickMathieu and Ross

Valerie and Mathieu . . . couple extraordinaire!

Jessica and Patrick . . . awesome cousin duo!

Patrick speed atv'r!

Valerie and Mathieu atv rockers!

hot dog!

As many of you know, Ross is a hot dog grill master! It is really one of our favorite little weekend traditions and we often serve this little treat to our friends and family. It might seem like a lazy little meal but, we actually do put a little effort (read: heart and soul) into it. With that said, I don't think Ross will mind, too much, if I share a few of his secrets--we are firm believers in everyone's right to a great hot dog!

1) Only all-beef-hot-dogs--preferably Nathan's
2) Grandma Sycamore's Bread (though on more than one occasion we have used bakery bread/rolls)
3) MOST important . . .CELERY SALT!!

Ross carefully grills the hd's while I toast the bread (handy little image!). Ross prefers to have butter on his toast along with mayo, a bit of mustard, sweet relish and topped with celery salt. I personally like mine with a little mayo, sweet relish and celery salt. We also like to add chopped onions and shredded cheese . . . yum! While the Canadians were here we found that sliced tomatoes are also quite tasty, thank you auntie Martine! From time to time, when Ross is not giving me a hard time about it, I also like catchup (shhh! I also add catchup to my homemade corn tortilla taco's, YUM!--yes, an AZ native!). Though according to hd purists, catchup is a true no-no! Whatever! I have also had cucumber in my Chicago O'Hare Airport hd . . .maybe we can dream that tomatoes and cucumber will make this a healthy little meal!

So, during one of my recent blog browsing tours I came across a new site (for me) via recommendation from one of my favorites, A Soft Place to Land. The fun new place, and I am already really digging it, My First Kitchen (aka, Ten Minutes to Digest). I started off chatting about our favorite hot dog tradition so I can better explain the hd amazement I found at MFK: Butter-Suckin' Hotdogs. She offers a recipe (and click on the link for a 4 minute demo) and I am going to make it for Ross! It is the funnest hd idea ever . . . and you do NOT need a grill. But, I do suggest that you have some hd accessories (i.e., mayo, mustard, CATCHUP, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, heart and soul, etc.).

I used to avoid any and all hot dogs! Ross hooked me up with the right hd technique! And now we really must try Butter Suckin' hd's. Try it! Go on!

and hopefully this sums it up . . .

double click to read!

I found this column during my daily blog browsing on Apron Girls. I also have AG listed in my fave's and so I am really quite fond of this site. Today AG posted a column that caught my attention. As I was reading it, from the standpoint of a woman without human children (doggies do count!), I found myself realizing that it might also be necessary for this childless woman to also make a statement. Here is what I wrote on the AG blog:

I am one of those women without children. I am also a human, a friend, a partner, a good citizen and I have always treated children as though they are the brightest part of any day. Time is ticking and now, at age 38, I probably will not give birth but, I will always encourage and love any and all children I am privileged enough to know and especially those I don't know personally. Children need to feel important and loved.

My point, and this is something I have been struggling with for quite awhile and especially the past few days. Dear friends, please stop suggesting that I have missed my opportunity to be a better person by not technically parenting children. When I am continually asked the question: "When are you guys having children" it is so very old and so completely intrusive. Instead of saying "you would be such a good parent" say something like "you are so amazing, thank you for loving my children." Many of us exist and I would suggest that those of us like me would never suggest that a parent has too much time on their hands. We, I, am so aware of the life changing--for everyone--time it takes to have children. With this in mind, please understand that not everyone will give birth to children and we are still living and loving the world we live in.

As I finished writing on the blog I realized that quite possibly I was not being true to myself by posting surreptitiously. Please know that I am not disgruntled or somehow resentful. I have made a lot of choices in my life, most of which I am happy about. I am fortunate enough to have a partner that I love and thoroughly enjoy being with. I have amazing friends--always have. So for now, I remain a happy woman in love with Ross with a happy family of doggies! I hope you will do the same--love your family, whatever it looks like--and please, for the sake of all humanity, stop assuming that I cannot possibly be as happy as you!