A birds eye view

Enjoy a Bird's-Eye View of Avian Life

From gathering twigs, to laying eggs, and finally the chicks hatching, you can observe the whole nesting process right outside your window with this handcrafted nest box. It has suction cups that attach easily to any window, and a 1-1/2" opening that suits most song birds. Handmade in Maine by an environmentally ethical company that pays attention to details like proper ventilation and drainage.

A fun family activity!

Observe birds nesting from the comfort of your living room.

Great for teaching kids about "the birds and the bees."

Attaches easily to any window with 3 suction cups.

White pine wood is naturally weather-resistant.

This is much too cool!

http://www.gardeners.com/Window-Nest-Box/20731,34-793,default,cp.html

Vet time

Well today we went to the vet. Shamoo has what we think is an old ACL tear with arthritis from the repeated scar tissue in the knee. The vet does not recommend a surgery due to the vast amount of scar tissue, her age, and her activity level (she only carries it occasionally and even then its every 5 or so steps). Other than that she looks amazing for her age. The vet was amazed by how pretty her old chompers are. Her thyroid is a tiny bit low functioning but nothing to worry about (we did a full senior blood panel). Her eyes are just old, no cataract concerns (just grey, not white). She's a NUT and cracked everyone up in the clinic. She's a crazy crazy old lady and then there is quiet princess Arnold who's so sensitive and neurotic he barely makes a move. Arnold's ears and tummy are slightly enflamed (barely noticeable and the vet was impressed I even paid notice to it). We think its seasonal allergies accompanied by his neurotic licking causing a vicious cycle of dirty dry skin. The vet would like us to eventually discuss removing Arnold's broken canine but we're in no rush. We'll wait until we have more stable jobs and the extra 400 bucks. As for now she said his teeth look wonderful, aside from the fact they are beaten up from chewing metal crates as a past time. Arnold is 62 lbs and Shamoo is 50 lbs.

Day 2 of Flyball...

And I have learned....

1) Shamoo is a crate escape artist studied under the master Arnold. It appears no body puts baby in the corner, or she'll come back at you at lightening speed.

2) Shamoo is very fast.

3) Buying a pair of carharts to practice in sounds like a great plan.

4) Shamoo is either A) going blind, B) very casual about where she bites, or C) likes the taste of my blood.


Last night we had our second Flyball practice with the Shamwow of MooCow town. We're officially members of the team and we had a formal introduction to the entire team last night.

Well, someone (probably my fault I'm sure) forgot to tell Shamoo only Humanoids need be in the conference room during the first meeting. So after we had crated all the dogs, including Shamoo, in the general loading area we sat down in the meeting room and went around with introductions.

I swear Shamoo must have been eavesdropping because as we went around the table with a "... And this is Adrianne and Denis, they own a pit bull named Shamoo who is a rescue and new to the sport--" BANG BANG BANG... Door opens.... Shamoo comes barging in for a grand entrance making slip of Denis and I and sliming every person in the room under the table.

After much apologizing and laughing we decided Shamoo could (unlike the rest of the dogs) be crated in the room during our meeting for the sake of the other dogs watching in horror as she assaulted her cage again.

After this booming entrance we practiced. I got to learn to hold a dog ("because you're starting with a rather difficult dog as well"). This dog was a veteran of the sport, a little 30 some lb 10 yr old Stafford named Intrepid. I considered running out with him and never returning. He was so cool, it was a blast loading him on my lap and then feeling hims tense and back up for a launch as he heard his owner across the room yell "Ready, Set... GO!"

Eventually we brought out Shamoo and as I kneeled on the ground in my torn jeans, one knee up (just happened to be the bare skin knee), one knee down, I was taught another lesson about Shamoo. When you send Shamoo to the box be ready for a speedy blind return for the toy. This time I wasn't and my knee fell victim. Shamoo came back flying at me and nailed my knee, my third Shamoo puncture, in the bank! Everyone believes she saw the opposing color and just went for it thinking it was a toy; me, I'm pretty sure she likes to watch me bleed.

Finally we tried a few basic recalls over the hurdles without the box (we'll work on the Tennis ball drive more and more, she really doesn't love them). "This bitch is really quick!" Well, so I am told, I'm just impressed FattyMcloveburger is even running.

All in all it was a great practice. Hopefully next time I'll remember what I learned...

Shammer's christmas toy

The love affair.

The Savannah Adventure begins!

well... here's hoping. I'm trying hard as I can to find housing for two pit bulls and a chihuahua. Hmm...

Summer Session II 2009... DONE!

Last Summer Session, Design Fundamentals and Color film, was a blast but a lot of hard word.

A few projects I completed in this time...

Our "Vintage travel posters".. the boyfriends still a bit bitter I did not choose Ireland.. heh

Our "70's Punk Rock era Album cover"... Thanks to Hilary, Madie, Mark and his friend from Cali for these candid photos.. ;)


Additional vectors created in this session can be found here... http://www.flickr.com/photos/23272935@N03/sets/72157620137210731/

and finally, our After Effects introduction: "Pit bull Pride" a video by Me!

Ninja teddy.

Old time window

http://www.shorpy.com/

Our Beautiful Planet

Incredible the things we can do!

http://artsytime.com/our-beautiful-planet/

Hannah

For those unaware Hannah is my 7 yr old Rat terrier Female. She's a mess. She always has been. I bought her and her sister for 25 dollars off my old boss when she was going through a rough divorce and needed to unload her dogs. She had bought Hannah and Terra from a reputable breeder in the interest of training/breeding them. She wasnt a bad woman but as many do she basically lost it with the divorce.

Anyway, when I picked up Hannah she clung to me (Terra was a over zealous for a rat terrier almost patterdale like). Hannah literally covered my back seat with black fur and drool on the short drive home, she was petrified. She took 6 months to allow anyone near her aside from me and equally as long to be comfortable with me (never fully slept, NEVER rolled on her back). As you can see she was a nervous wreck. Terra over powered her and would attack her, Hannah though never backed down and eventually I had to place Terra. I wasnt set up nor ready to rotate them and I felt Terra stood a much better chance in a new home.

Hannahs first day on carpet she freaked and tore out a toe nail. It was a blessing in disguise I suppose because we discovered not only a luxating patella but also a cyst on her liver which the vet felt would have severely harm/kill her (I really dont remember/know why) if it was not dealt with in a timely manner.

So.. that behind us Hannahs knee and temperament got better and better, she learned to deal with other dogs here and there and humans with patience. Then one day she woke me up screaming and shaking then nothing. I was sure she was dead. I rushed into my moms room and was distraught. My mom noticed she was still breathing very shallowly and we rushed her to the vet. By the time we were at the vet she was a bit more with it but still unable to sit up or stand.

We ran everything we could think of. Her urine showed a slow break down of protein and a bit of blood, her thyroid was just a tad bit high, but otherwise nothing. The vet sent us home with "sometimes this only ever happens once in a dogs life".Well since then she's had 3 other severe seizures that we know of and each blood test showed the same thing.

These all happened around 2-4 years. She's been free of these big seizures that we know of for the past 3 years. She has though continued with teeth chattering, obsessive face itching, carpet plucking (she'll pick out one strand at a time, eat it then go for the next), pacing, shaking, etc. No one could ever find out why. We've seen 4 vets at 3 clinics. Ran standard blood panels, dental and physical exams, everything we could afford.

In the last year and a half though Hannahs begun to take a turn for the worse. She's gotten more obsessive with her "quirks" and her aggression has worsened. At times I feel like shes going blind (had her eyes checked and vet said as far as he can tell she can see fine), deaf (not been checked but Im pretty sure she's just ignoring me), or I just dont know.

She begun pottying on the floor obsessively. At first on the stairs landing but when we put in pergo she stopped. Then on the tile near the back door. Now I could say we're not letting her out enough but the door remains open almost all day almost all year with exceptions from about 12 am - 4 am when everyone in the house is asleep and at this time she's usually in a crate herself.

Also I found she was leaving skid marks or poop trails lol all over my bed. So she was banned from my bed after 6 years of sleeping with me.. it breaks my heart still watching her sit on the floor and look at me waiting for the "ok" to get up that never comes. This is ANOTHER thing the vet cant figure out! grr :(

She's recently been diagnosed as "Obsessive Compulsive/Anxiety Disorder" and is taking a daily medication. The vet basically said he couldnt find anything wrong with her. He's been so good to me last blood panel he did a free ultrascan looking at her liver to see if the cyst from when she was a pup had regrown.

She stopped pottying on the floor for the first month and the fabric plucking stopped that we could see. The last couple weeks though I have been coming home to pee by the open door again (she's not crated while I am gone because I am at work/school on T/TH from 8 am - 12 am). I also came home to sour smelling bile and fabric she must have pulled off the dog bed. She's also been smelling vile lately like shes eating poop or rotting :( sorry to be so graphic but it sucks when its become miserable to hug your dog due to odor. Its not like puppy eating poop breath either, its more potent. Her teeth are fine, she was just at the vet and he said they looked great for a 7 yo with her history.

Im just at a loss, I dont see her in her eyes all the time anymore. I keep trying to judge if I am just frustrated and truly grossed out by her or if I really am seeing a lack of Hannah there.

My parents (who demanded I rehome her before I was allowed to move back in with them lol) now have thrown a fit when I brought up the possibility of putting her down the last vet visit. I had to take her in when I thought maybe she cant control her urine and bowel. I have seen her several times walking along totally normal and pooping, I saw her once pee this way as well hence the vet visit. Once again.. NO REASON. sigh. The only suggestion the Vet left me with over and over again that seems to make sense is she may have brain damage from her seizures?

:-/ bleh.. Thanks to anyone who read all of this.. its been a LONG ride with my girl. She's always been there for me so I would feel devastated if I thought there was something I could do and didnt. We're just at such a loss.

Anyways...I needed to vent and ask honestly do you always get "told" by your dog when its time to go?

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/amazing-photoshop-skills-27-images-1-video/

love

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13:4-8

Just Say NO!

If a 2-year-old can do it, why is it so hard for a grown woman? Okay, we know why. But we also know it must be done: If you accepted every invitation, you'd never sleep. If you gave to every worthy cause, you'd go broke. If you went along with everything everyone ever wanted from you, you'd be...as exhausted as you are right now. So for the times when you're truly sorry to decline, and for the times when you'd rather have a root canal than say yes, I 'll give you ways to say "thanks but no thanks" and "count me out".

So, lesson number 1: Friends
Aaahhhh, friends. Isn't it the nicest thing on earth?
But, friendship can get pretty nasty if your "friends" start pushing you to do thigns you dont want to.
How to fix that? By saying "NO!".
How to do that? Just read below!

How to say no to...

...the not-quite-close-enough friend who asks to borrow your lipstick:

1. Celebrity makeup artist and sworn germaphobe Mally Roncal says: "I learned my makeup-sharing lesson in high school, when my friend used someone else's mascara and ended up with pinkeye. It's classic: You start passing around the blue eyeliner, and next thing, everyone's wearing eye patches." No need to imply that your friend is a walking virus factory, though; just say, "I didn't feel well this morning, and I'd rather not spread my germs."

...the friend who says, "Do I look okay in this?"

2. If you can save her from herself right now-i.e., the price tag is still on the dress and you haven't left the dressing room-say, "You look great, but that micromini doesn't do you justice."
3. If it's too late to save her but you want to help her avoid repeating the disaster, say, "You look great, as usual-though I have to admit, my favorite style on you has always been..." Then mention a specific outfit that makes her look her best.

....the friend or coworker who wants your help with yet another school bake sale or project at the office-when you don't have time to deal with your own stuff:

4. Tell her, "I'd love to help; unfortunately, I'm already overextended."
5. But if you're one of the pathologically accommodating women who can't open their mouths without saying, "Sign me up!": Shake your head and point to your STOP ME BEFORE I VOLUNTEER AGAIN button (12 for $24 at annetaintor.com).

...the friend or relative whose request to borrow money makes you uncomfortable:

6. "I'm not broke, but I can't afford to lend anything."

...the perfectly nice would-be friend who keeps inviting you to lunch-when you know in your gut that the two of you won't click:

7. "That sounds great, but I just can't put one more thing on my calendar for the next few weeks. Let me call you when things clear up." Who's to say things will ever clear up?

...the person who always wants to get together in the name of friendship but who you suspect just wants something from you:

8. Put her on the spot, politely: "I'm horribly overbooked right now, but I get the sense there's something in particular you wanted to discuss. What's up?" Any appeal-for your money, advice, contacts, time, whatever-can then be either easily satisfied or dismissed with a simple, kind "I'm sorry, I can't." Which should put an end to the lunch invitations.

...the social hug:

9. Do the preemptive handshake-or try the grab-the-forearms-then-stand-back-and-say-"Look at you!" move, as if you're admiring the would-be hugger's sheer fabulosity.

...the neighbor who asks you to check in on her cat while she's gone for the weekend:

10. If you have no pets or plants of your own-or anything else that might ever, under any circumstances, need tending; if you have no trash cans, newspapers, or mail that, in your absence, might ever need to be brought in; if it's guaranteed that no child of yours will ever damage your neighbor's property in a way that might make her think, Lawsuit?-then by all means say, "I'm sorry, but it's not a good weekend." Otherwise play by the golden rule. Someday you will thank us.

...the friend who asks if it's okay to bring another guest...

11. to your wedding: "I'm so sorry, but the guest list is set. It's a numbers thing-I'm sure you understand."
12. to your dinner party: "I'm planning to keep this gathering small and focused. I'd really like to stick to the guest list."

...the friend or relative who asks you to babysit:

13. You think you have to invent some elaborate excuse. You think it's a big, huge deal to say that you're sorry, you can't. Here's what you say: "I'm sorry, I can't."

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time, in a land far away, A beautiful, independent, self assured princess, happened upon a frog as she sat contemplating ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted pond in a verdant meadow near her castle.

The frog hopped into the Princess' lap and said "Elegant Lady, I was once a handsome Prince, until an evil witch cast a spell upon me. One kiss from you, however, and I will turn back into the dapper, young Prince that I am and then, my sweet, we can marry and set up housekeeping in yon castle with my Mother, where you can prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children, and forever feel grateful and happy doing so."

That night, while enjoying a repast of lightly sautéed frog legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream sauce, she chuckled to herself and thought... "I don't f---ing think so."

Trees talk to each other at night.
All fish are named either Lorna or Jack.
Before your eyeballs fall out from watching too much TV, they get very loose.
Tiny bears live in drain pipes.
If you are very very quiet you can hear the clouds rub against the sky.
The moon and the sun had a fight a long time ago.
Everyone knows at least one secret language.
When nobody is looking, I can fly.
We are all held together by invisible threads.
Books get lonely too.
Sadness can be eaten.
I will always be there.
~ Raul Gutierrez

George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and
less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight,
or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.

A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin