The Dog Days of Winter

We thought we were past the puppy training stages, but last night Daisy regressed. She walked right over in front of Travis and peed on the rug. I can’t help but think we never really got her trained to begin with. We just assumed she had picked up the habits from the other dogs. So where do we go from here? I know they respond to the authoritative tones of our voices, but I’m not sure they understand what the words “What the hell were you thinking?” mean. I think we have to take responsibility and recognize that she may have never been trained and that maybe we need to spend more time with her. I don’t believe she did it out of spite, so why get angry at her? She needs to be shown what she did and taught that we do not accept it. That is not proper festing behavior. Dogs are very receptive to being trained, but humans can’t assume they are always successful in training. I hope the Frantz's are having more luck with Bella. Don’t worry, Little Dog, we will work with you, but by George, please don’t let it happen again!

Smoke Free - One Year and Counting

It's been one year since I quit smoking. After fifteen years, I finally kicked it for good. It was not an easy feat. I was particularly concerned about my powers of self control while festing with adult beverages. It took several tries and some much needed help from prescription medication, but it was well worth the bizaar dreams and excessive dry mouth and gum chewing. I really never thought I would make it this long.

Nicotene addiction is a very scary, very powerful and evil thing. I pity any person who takes his/her first sample of the dreadful substance. And why would you want to? I am one hundred percent liberated and it feels fantastic. I'm no longer chained to something stronger than me. So cheers to all my fellow triumphant winners! I'm proud of us! Here's to the next year of being smoke free!

While in Mexico on my honeymoon, I saw a pack of cigs with this picture on it. If that aint a wake up call, I don't know what is!

Addicted to Vampires

I must be living in a hole, because I hadn't heard about the Twilight Saga until the movie for the first book came out in November. There are already four books in the series. After that, I started hearing more and more about the books and learned that several people I know were or had already read them. I didn't understand what all the fuss was about, but then again, I don't usually read that type of book and I didn't get into the whole Harry Potter craze either. But the more I heard about it, the more my interest was peaked and one day Travis' Aunt Katy loaned me the first two books in the series. I must admit: I am hooked. Sucked in right down to the very last page. I can't put them down. I highly recommend, although I'm not so sure the story line would interest guys. It's high romantic drama although at times I would question whether it is suitable for teens. It is classified as teen/young adult. There is no foul language, excessive festing, or explicit sex scenes (so far, I'm only half way through the second book), but it has a very steamy plot. I guess the sixteen year old girl isn't technically doing anything wrong by having her 300+ year old vampire boyfriend sleep over in her room every night. He does sleep on top of the covers mind you. At any rate, its a good series. I'm absorbed and I highly recommend it.

Home Owners

2008 was a huge year for us. Not only did we become Mr. and Mrs., but we also became first-time home owners. We bought the house we live in from my parents in November. Who would have thought that when I moved into the house in 2000 I would still be here almost a decade later?! By the end of the year, we had given several rooms a face lift with a fresh coat of paint, minor wood work, new fixtures, hardwood floors and a 50 inch flat screen. It feels like a whole new place. We LOVE it!

Here are a couple before pictures of the living room. Misty is jamming Guitar Hero in front of onlooking Festers.