Phoenix or Bust!

So, Wednesday night I met TEN, his Uncle S and his mom for cocktails and dinner.  TEN is always talking about his family in Phoenix, and even though they don't get to see each other all the time they are still really close.  TEN's mom has a bunch of sisters, and they all live there with their families.

It was so much fun to sit and listen to the three of them talk about the family!  About what this sister, or that cousin or that husband was up to.  They reminisced a lot, and filled me in on a bunch of family stories.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself :)  I meant to bring my camera, since they don't get together often, but of course I forgot.  So, no pictures to share unfortunately....

At the end of the evening, Uncle S informed TEN that he needed to bring me to Phoenix to meet the rest of the family.  He said that I would fit in perfectly, and we would all have the best time ever.  He was really serious about this trip, and made me get out my calendar to see when I would be free to come. 

I'm not sure we will get to Phoenix at Easter (the proposed date), but I have no doubt that when we do we will have a wonderful time! 

T

I Wish I Could Paint

I'm in a bit of a rush today.  But I wanted to share a blog with you that I've been loving for quite some time.  If you aren't into westies, you probably won't be interested...but that's okay!  Come back for tomorrow's post which will be all gossipy about my dinner w/TEN's uncle & mother last night :)

I wish I could paint.  If I could I would set up an easel in the front room of my house and paint Louis doing silly things, because he does them quite often.  I would also paint him doing imaginary things...just like Candylei from Westie, Art & Garden does.  I want to buy all of her pictures.  I want to plaster them all over my walls.  Because they make me smile...bunches. 

I also adore her explanation of what a westie is:

"How to describe a West Highland Terrier Dog to someone? I say they are small, fluffy and white like cotton candy, but with a bark."

I hope you enjoy some of her work, and please do take a moment to pop over and check out her Etsy shop HERE.

Have a terrific Thursday, and let's chat again tomorrow...shall we?

T

Presents for Puppy!

I have to take a moment to tell you about my lovely blog friend Katie!  She and her beautiful westies, Julep & Derby, sent Louis and I a little care package.  It was so very kind of her, and she's been such a GREAT help to me.  Katie knows so much about westies, and I know zilch!  Well, I'm learning...but you know :) 

Anyway, have a peek at Julep & Derby HERE at their blog.  Aren't they just the most beautiful westies you have ever seen?  Louis is very jealous of their coats, and is angry with me for the fact that his is not as lovely.  I am, of course, learning as quickly as I can.  Soon enough little Louis.  Soon enough.

Here is a picture of Louis playing with a new toy:

And, here is a little video.  Of course I was talking (and I absolutely HATE my voice.  I never realized that until I started listening to these videos.  Boooo...)  Louis will not relinquish this little red ball.  No matter what treats he is offered!  He even takes it to bed.  Silly pup!



Puppy kisses to J&D!

T

The Short List

1. Monday night I watched The Bachelor Wrap Up, or whatever it's called.  I don't watch the show, but a girlfriend came over and we watched it together.  Let me say...no need to watch the show every week.  Just watch the train wreck that is the Tell All and you're golden.  FINAL THOUGHTS:  Vienna is a man.  Jake is gay.  They will end up together, and live happily ever after.

2.  I was convinced there was a rodent living in my feather bed.  I went to go to bed Monday night, and felt this huge hard lump of something (but not soft feathers) in my bed.  I stripped the bed, pulled off the sheets, and flipped over the feather bed.  I mushed all around and identified something that was surely a squirrel or rat or something.  I wanted to cut open my feather bed to investigate, but TEN wasn't there and I was scared.  I took the feather bed off of the bed, and then built a barricade around it.  I brought Louis up for a sniff, but he wasn't impressed.  FINAL THOUGHTS:  I want to vomit at the idea of there being a rodent in my bed for the last 5 years, and me not knowing.  Hardly slept a wink.

3.  Louis played with the "big kids" (read: not tea cup size) at day care yesterday.  He had a wonderful time, but definitely was not used to being the smallest in his group and fell asleep the minute I placed him in his booster seat.  FINAL THOUGHTS:  Perhaps the tea cups are a better match?

4.  Babbo Natale and I went on a power walk yesterday after work.  It was glorious.  I haven't exercised in something like 40 years, and it was needed.  Now, if only it would be warm and spring like every day.  I might stick with it!  FINAL THOUGHTS: Cellulite had better check itself!  Game on.

5.  When Babbo Natale and I got back from our walk TEN was at my house.  The three of us trapsed upstairs to investigate the proposed rodent in the feather bed.  Turns out it wasn't a rodent.  Just a matted up bunch of feathers, that for some reason I hadn't noticed in the last 5 years???  FINAL THOUGHTS:  I'm still not 100% sure it isn't a rodent, but it's on TEN's side of the bed so he can deal with it.

6.  TEN's uncle from Phoenix is in town.  We are going to dinner with him tonight.  TEN's mother is driving in from Big City, VA too!  It's 3:20pm and we don't have a reservation anywhere.  I have felt compelled (since yesterday) to remedy this.  To make a reservation.  To pick a restaurant.  BUT, then I realized...I can't do this for him.  So, I'm going home after work to change into a cute little "meet the fam" outfit.  I hope it all works out :)  FINAL THOUGHTS:  None.

T

Come On Mustard....Ketchup!

It seems that every time I fall madly in love with a song, and run around telling everyone about it, they already have it on their ipods and have been listening to it for months. 

This time it was MK.  She's all "duh...that song is called such and such, and I've liked it for-ev-uh".  Psht. 

Why is that?

I currently adore Train's, Hey Soul Sister.  Obviously it's been around for ages.  Like as long as I have or something.  But for some reason, I've only just discovered it. 

The beat is catchy.  It makes me tap my foot.  And smile.  But the words are the best part :) 

Your sweet moving

The smell of you in every

Single dream I dream

I knew when we collided

You're the one I have decided

Who's one of my kind

----------------------

Just in time

I'm so glad you have

A one track mind like me

You gave my life direction

A game show love connection

We can't deny

Here's to hoping you have found one of your kind,

T

Birthdays & Cupcakes & Cocktails....Oh My!

I finally brought my camera today.  I know...it's about time!!!

Anyway, I'm going to share a jumble of pictures from events over the last week or so...and also some from TEN's birthday :)

(me, barbie & babbo natale @ happy hour)

(big crowd @ happy hour!)

(irish nachos = heaven = my favorite thing EVER = i could only eat these for the rest of my life)

(after TEN's bad behavior last friday night, i ventured downtown and ran into a friend who was celebrating his birthday.  i may (or may not) have had too much to drink that night :-o)

(looking at this picture i'm going to say i probably did have too much to drink)

(here i am "posing" in front of babbo natale's fireplace at the valentine's day cocktail party.  i'm not really sure what look i was going for, but i'm going to guess "sexy".  didn't quite make it did i?)

There aren't a great bit of other funny/silly/whatever photos from the cocktail party.  Well, there is this one:

(i'm not sure why this cracks me up so much...but it does kindove sum up the night...for me anyway!)

Now, let's just skip over last week.  It wasn't a very good week.

On to TEN's birthday!!!

Friday night TEN wanted a "low key night".  After work I decided to make his birthday cupcake cake.  Did you get that?  Birthday, Cupcake, Cake.  Yes, that's right.  A cake that looks like a cupcake. 

I bought a mold for this cake a while ago, and I've just been dying to make it.  I followed the directions perfectly.  It should have been so easy.  But, it wasn't :( 

Cake NUMBER ONE started off looking quite lovely in the oven:

However, when the cupcake cake was done....it really hadn't filled up the mold at all!  It was like it didn't rise or something?  I was convinced I had simply mixed it too much, played the radio too loud...something.  Never fear though!  Aren't I clever to have made this the night before TEN's birthday??  I figured I would just pick up another cake mix on Saturday and have another go at it.

The positive news is that Louis adored his new organic chicken/liver wrap treat!  I purchased it to keep him busy while I was baking (or attempting to) the cake :)

TEN came over and we went to friend's house.  Then, we went downtown for just a little bit.  Home early to rest up for the big day! 

(by the way...TEN was very touched that i had attempted to make him a cake, and that it failed miserably.  he thought it was "cute".  i, however, did not.  i was going to show him i could make a darn good cupcake cake!)

On Saturday (TEN's actual birthday) we slept in, went to lunch, ran to the grocery for another cake mix, packed up Louis and moved him to TEN's downtown apartment with us for the rest of the weekend.  Very lazy, relaxing day.

I thought I would proceed with making cake NUMBER TWO.  Please note that I was not stressed at all.  The infomercial said this cake was easy as can be to make!!  No need to grease the mold, it was nonstick of course!  No need to do anything!  So, I began the second cake.

Now, let me interject and share with you now what the cake was supposed to look:

(now this is from an advertisement, so obviously one cannot expect their cupcake cake to look this perfect)

HOWEVER,

(this is an actual cupcake cake that someone made.  obviously it isn't nearly as attractive as the advertised one, but it surely looks nothing like mine!!)

I began making the cupcake cake:

(notice how confident i was??? it was 4:18 and i wasn't stressed at all!! until i took these out and saw that once again...the cake had not filled up each of the containers.  was i supposed to put one mix in EACH container?  the directions did not say this...but i'm beginning to wonder!)

(EGADS!!  this non-stick mold is not showing it self to be very non-stick is it?)

(all of this was left in the mold!!)

(this is where i began to panic.  **yes, this is cooling on a waffle maker.  TEN does not have a cooling rack**)

(once again...non-stick part of the advertisement is NOT proving to be correct)

Let me interject here to tell you that at this point I still have not lost it.  I'm a little anxious.  TEN is saying "well, I'm sure it will be just lovely...and it's the tought that counts".  But it isn't is it?  It isn't the thought that counts.  It's the fact that I have a crappy, falling apart cupcake cake and two jars of icing to potentially hold the damn thing together that counts, isn't it?  Sigh...I began icing...

(at this point TEN begins to see that this probably is not fixable.  he starts chuckling and grabs my camera.  thanks.)

(yes, dear friends...THIS is supposed to be a cupcake cake.  in my denfense, i really didn't have a lot to work with since the batter never fully rose, and then 1/2 of it stayed in the form. but alas...)

(you almost can't tell how terrible it looks on the table.  what you also can't see is that we've had to put a pile of napkins under one side of the cake plate because the cupcake cake attempted to slide off the side of the cake plate.)

(TEN insists that he adores his cake, and even puts a votive candle on top to make a wish)

Quite a few of our friends tried the cake, and said it was delish!  Although that should probably make me feel better, it didn't:( 

The best part is...I got angry and threw the cake mold away.  Then, I later decided that I was going to keep making this cake until I got it right.  So....now I have to buy another mold.  Hang tight friends.  You will be so freaking impressed with me when I get it right.  I just know it won't take long!

We all went out for a night on the town.  It was great fun, with great friends...and PLENTY of cocktails.  Overall, success!!  TEN pronounced that he had a most fabulous birthday...which is all that really mattered to me :)

(my thank you kiss)

(ending the night with a cocktail. finally time to relax!!)

Sunday was a lazy day. Just what TEN and I both needed. We snuggled on the couch with the pup. Watched movies and slept a little bit more...

Here's to fabulous birthday weekends!!  Thanks to those of you who weighed in on what TEN shall be called moving forward.  I am sticking with TEN.  He liked that best as well :)

T

The Birthday Boy!

Saturday is TEN's birthday.

We are having a bit of a celebration, and I've no doubt there will be pictures and stories and all kinds of nonsense to share on Monday :)

But here's a thought.  Will I have to start calling him ELEVEN now? 

Hmph.

Thoughts?

T

Hamish the Westie

I had a post planned for today.  It was silly.  All about my adventures over the last week.  Cocktails with friends, you know the kind...

But then I went to check in really quickly with a blogger to see how her Westie -  Hamish (pronounced Hay-mish) was doing. 

He had an illness come upon him quite quikly. Only two weeks ago. He seemed to be doing a bit better.

Until Wednesday night.

His "person" Gail had to make the decision that we all, as pet owners, hope and pray we will never have to make.  But...it seems that so often we do. 

Hamish was 14.  He was a handsome, charming, smart & witty Westie.  He lived in Aberdeen, Scotland. 

He had a very full life. 

He was loved dearly.

As I read Gail's post today I sat at my desk, in my office, and sobbed.  Truly sobbed.  I couldn't stop.  It was almost lunch time, so I left to go home to let Louis out and to hug him within an inch of his life. 

My heart breaks for Gail today. Please say a little prayer for her, that she finds comfort in knowing that she gave Hamish so much love and happiness for over a decade. 

Isn't it amazing how much we can feel for our blog friends?  For the people whose lives we peer into every day, even when we've never met?  I never had the chance to give Hamish a pet on his head, or tickle his belly, or give him a snuggle.  But it didn't matter.  I loved him just the same.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of Hamish.  (Gail I hope you don't mind)  Hamish and Gail had so many adventures, to so many beautiful places.  The stories of those adventures, and Gail's pictures, were such a bright spot in my day. 

Rest in Peace Dear Sweet Hamish.

You Will Be Missed Terribly.

T

(if you would like to visit Gail & Hamish's blog, you can find it HERE)

Some Cute Pics of Louis

Since I don't have my camera.  And the stories from last Thursday through the weekend really need pictures with them....I'm going to brighten your day with a picture or two of my little. Who was, by the way, my Valentine this year.  He was, hands down, the snuggliest (yes, I am aware this is not a word) Valentine I've had yet.

(I call this one "Mmmm...This Fire is Toasty!")

(I call this one "Blurry Lord of the Manor")

(I call this one "This Raincoat Makes Me Invincible and A Pair of Crocs")

(and this is just a little bumper sticker that i want for my car:)

Please feel free to remind me to bring my camera tomorrow.  As many times as you would like,

T

(enter bad behavior. night ends.)

First, let me say thank you to everyone for your sweet notes.  TEN and I are fine.  He was not on his best behavior on Friday night, and then again on Saturday night.  For this reason I had to put him in Time Out.

But, all in all...he has proven himself worthy, sorry for his behavior, etc...and therefore he is back in play group now. 

It was a crappy Valentines Day all the same. 

On a brighter note...we did have a FABULOUS dinner at a little hole in the wall Italian restaurant on Friday night.  Their food is truly (almost) as good as the food I had when I was in Italy.  I couldn't wait to share the experience with TEN, and he treated me to dinner there for Valentine's.

(enter bad behavior.  night ends.)

Saturday TEN was on better behavior and therefore we continued with our Valentine's plans.  I had purchased a couple's massage for us.  It was wonderful!!! 

I used to have massages all the time, but have become very lazy about going lately.  I felt like a couples massage would be a wonderful gift for TEN since he has been very stressed lately.  It also was a bit of a gift for me, so I liked the idea :)

Saturday evening TEN came over to pick me up for a Valentine's Cocktail Party, and gave me a beautiful bracelet.  I adore it, and I put it on immediately of course!  (I would show you a picture..but those would be on my camera, which is still at my house.  not that i'm blogging from work or anything)

The cocktail party was at my friend Babbo Natale's home, and it was just lovely.  There is nowhere else I would have rather been than right there with my friends.  And with TEN.  On Valentine's Day eve.

(enter MORE bad behavior on TEN's part.  night ends.)

Not to throw TEN under the bus here, but sometimes I think I portray him as this perfect guy.  And he's not.  If he were perfect I'm quite sure he would not be dating me!  He would think I was a mess, and leave me immediately to find some perfect girl.  And they would live perfectly happily ever after. 

That's not to say that he can say something to hurt my feelings and get away with it.  Because that is what he did.  And it wasn't okay.  But he has been forgiven. If, however, he does that again he will find himself without T in his life. True Fact.

So, that being said.....lalalalala...all is well now. 

T