The Vet Said, "It Cant Get Any Worse..."

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength ~ Philippians 4:13

This was Riley last night. He was a total baby! He had a very hurt leg and I had to wait until this morning to get him to the vet.

He severely sprained or twisted his ankle. It was real swollen this morning and the x-rays showed inner swelling too. Now he has a soft cast on for at least the next week, maybe two. No walks or running for a month!

The Cone of Shame

I guess it doesnt matter he's a boy...he got a purple bandage with blue polka dots. Of course it cant get wet, so what better than a catheter bag to tie on top. Seriously!?!?

So after my fun morning at the vet with Riley, I come home to find this... Reagan ate all that that is missing! Yes, I had a panic attack and a breakdown all at the same time. This is not normal, she does not eat things, but today she did. Back to the vet I went to pick up medicine for her and now I feed her a ton of canned pumpkin, which together should help her "pass" all that plastic safely out of her body. It was a long night of waiting, but so far so good. 4 trips outside and a little investigating, the pieces are coming out nicely. (This is the bottom of her crate by the way)

And her tonight, perfectly content with herself. Clearly oblivious that she made me a nervous wreck! So now in a matter of one morning, I have both dogs on different meds, and I leash walk one and chase the other with a baggie. JOY. 1 week and my husband will be here to rescue me!

Again, as I have said aloud many times today, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Happy First Anniversary

What a fast and wonderful year it has been! I thank the Lord everyday for the blessings in my life and for the husband that I have. Our marriage was established with Christ at the center, and for that I am grateful to God. May we be blessed with many more wonderful years to come!

I love you, Steve.

See you soon! My anniversary present. The most amazing Kitchenaid in the world. I can only begin to imagine the things I am going to create with this. No more smoking hand mixer!
I have found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go. ~Song of Songs 3:4

A War was Waged - Me vs. Kitties

I stepped back, looked at my pretty new planted garden and felt dang proud of myself. That is until the next morning when two of my bell pepper plants were torn up, dirt (with my seeds) were flung about and a couple piles of cat poo were left as a gift. I was livid! Black pepper and chili powder didnt do the trick, and after two days of battling (and currently losing) I had to go high tech.

This little device is how I won the war. When it detects motion, it sends out a loud annoying sound that only kitties can hear. Since putting this in the garden, I have seen no paw prints in my soil! Great investment.This is the lone bell pepper plant that survived the destruction. On top of the sound devide, I also spread Cayenne Pepper, coffee grounds and orange peel around the dirt ( I am NOT messing around!) I am sure the sound is what did it, but having their mitts on fire must not have felt good either.
Seriously, keep your cats in your house. I do not let my Beagle and Boxer roam about to poop in your yard and tear apart your hard work. But in the end, I WON.

Reagan's Graduation

Miss Reagan graduated from PetSmart's Intermediate Class today! Her final test was to "park it" on her bed, and I had to tell her to stay and leave the classroom and she couldn't move until I returned and released her. She did it perfectly! Im such a proud parent!
I dont care if she is too big for my lap! :o)

Later on this fall we might place her in advanced classes. After completing that she will be ready for Canine Good Citizen Certification.

I Believe That Getting Your Hands Dirty, Cleanses Your Mind

"He who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see a plant, believes in God."

My garden is finally planted! It will all look much bigger when everything starts to grow. My cucumber plants ( I planted 3 and will leave the strongest 2) look so tiny outside now!
It's hard to see but there are 4 hills here. Today I planted 2 hills with lettuce, 2 with spinach and then carrots inbetween the hills. The little green plants at the top right are the jalapenos.

Out of all those seedlings I transplanted the strongest 3 of cucumbers, jalapenos and bell peppers. Hopefully at least one from each will produce for us. Also planted today in between each of the other plants were more carrots, radishes, and green onions. More pics to come when they all start to spout and it looks like a garden, not like dirt with a few green things. :o)

Regardless, I am happy that I have a garden this year. And happy that I have my kitchen back too!

Reagan at the Dog Park!

Reagan loves the dog park! She will run just far enough ahead to where I am almost out of sight, but then she will stop. I love that she likes to keep her eye on me! She returns to me everytime I call her back. Then she comes home and sleeps for the rest of the night! (Sweet!) I try to take her there at least 3 times a week. I walk or jog the perimeter of the park, which exercises me too!

The Garden is Moving Outside

These are my little green onions. They take about 120 days to mature, but Im so excited to eat them come, oh, August! Strawberries, Green Onions and some Radishes

I bought one set of already started strawberries, just in case the others from just roots dont make it.

These are the stawberry roots. In a few weeks they should turn into a plant (I hope!) This is all very new and a little strange to me...

Im hardening off all the plants I started inside. Sometime this week they will be transplanted into the garden on the side of our house.

If all goes well and I can keep critters away, this summer we will be enjoying:

Lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, jalapenos, bell peppers, green onions, spinach, radishes and strawberries.
May God please bless my garden!

Happy Birthday Reagan!

My baby is 1 year old today! Happy Birthday Reagan!

Here's a little flashback to the day we brought her home, she was 8 weeks old. (6.07.09) And her today. She is 47.8 lbs and a lot bigger!