Happy Halloween!!!

-

Check out all the pumpkins Jorge Garcia (Hurley on LOST) has carved over on his blog. He did one of his dog and it looks just like him!

.

See my wine blog for wine suggestions for this holiday!!!

The twins are here!!!!

My cousin Derek's twins were born yesterday evening!!  They couldn't wait another month for their due date.  The girls are named Addison and Alivia.  It's extra special because our mom's are twins and they are SO excited!
So yes...it's quite possible that I could have twins if/when we have kids.

Congrats Derek & Pam!!!

***New pic just arrived!

The clouds are lifting...

I can honestly say that I'm feeling better today.  A little more at peace.  I don't know what the differnce is, what happened over night, but I'll take it.

Coping mechanisms...

What we've been doing to cope...

food that is normall reserved for Fridays or Saturdays

-

wine...alcohol...need I say more?

One of the first things we did when we came home after putting her down...shots of Crown

Sidenote: I reviewed this wine on my wine blog

-

Good ole original Super Mario Bros.

(on our old entertainment center...still...cuz the new one's still being worked on...*cough* Craig!)

-

Uh Oh SpaghettiO's!

childhood foods = comfort foods

-

I think this is my next step...

Not on my wrist and maybe not exactly like this one, but

I really think I want to get a small paw print tattoo for her.

Trying to figure out how to personalize it w/o being too much.

It's tough...

I'm having a hard time with this.  I know everyone grieves differently and what I'm feeling is "normal"...but it's really hard for me.  Nothing sounds fun.  Things that usually make me happy don't. I'm not motivated to do anything but sleep and I can't even do that very well.

People who aren't animal or pet-people have no way of understanding this feeling...they're "just animals".  But she was family. I think what makes it hard is the how sudden it all was.  Literally in an hour we went from playing with her to making the decision.  Sable was the healthy one.  She wasn't the one living on prescriptions for almost 5 years.

Apparently she did have some kind of heart problem.  She developed a blood clot that loosened that night and then lodged in her lower abdomen blocking circulation to her hind legs.  The heart issue got more complicated and her lungs started to fill with fluid.  The vet said that there were things they could do but basically it would be a long and painful process and even if we did do it (and could afford it) her chances of full recovery were very, very low.

 I stayed with her while she 'went'...whispering "it's okay" and "I love you" and kissing her head and just petting her.  I'm glad I stayed with her. 

I miss her so much I can hardly stand it.  I think about her all the time.
I keep asking her to visit me in a dream or something, just a hello so I know she's okay.  It hasn't happened yet, but I'm hoping it will. 

I'm not sure why I'm writing this here...I don't want pity...don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the supportive comments!...I guess I just need an outlet.  Of course, now I really need to cry but I'm at work so I can't!!! 

I keep going back and forth on whether to get another kitty.  Zeus seems fine so far.  He hasn't gone around the house wailing and looking for her like I thought he would.  I don't think he's mind another cat either but I'm just not sure.  It seems empty with just one.  However...I know if it were Zeus that had gone we would NOT get another one until...well...anyway...that's enough for now.  I'm going to think of some happy, funny memories to snap me out of this. 
Thanks for listening.

I voted...

I voted Saturday at early voting in Hamilton County, IN.  I waited 1 hour and 45 minutes!  I guess 250 people were lined up outside before the doors of the courthouse even opened!

Some people are really confused (ok...I've only heard one guy complain but I assume there are more of him) about early voting.  They don't understand it.  They think that we can walk in and vote early then turn around and vote again in our regular polling place or something.  (Seriously...that's what this guy said)

Give them some credit!  Jeez.

The ballot they use for early voting is the absentee ballot.  It's like voting absentee...in person.  That's all.  It's easy!  I think every county has a place you can vote, you'll just have to check the times...you can vote anytime the county clerk's office is open and also some additional hours.  Ours was so busy they added Monday evening hours.

Anyway...I voted...and I'm happy that I could vote for OBAMA!

nice...

More Sable...

I'm so glad I had Shawna take these photos a while back, they're some of the best of Sable that I have.

Sable...2000-2008

We had to put Sable down tonight.  It was...still is...such a shock.  She was fine one minute and the next...she wasn't.  Apparently she had a heart problem we never knew about.  A blood clot loosened and got lodged near her rear, almost paralyzing her and also causing fluid build up in the lungs.

We were both with her when she passed.  I'm heartbroken.

Gift Ideas of the Day Coming Soon!!!...

Last year I did this approaching the Christmas season.  We all have those people we are stuck on what to get them for Christmas.  OR we have a couple of stellar gifts but feel like we should get more stuff and have no ideas. So I started doing 'gift ideas of the day'...and starting with November I will do it again!

If you have any fab-u-lous ideas...email them to me and I'll include them in there somewhere.  Sometimes if I find a lot I'll do several a day.
You can go back in the archives and look at the stuff but here's an example...(one of the more silly but still kinda cool ones...)

..................................................................................

You can never have too many scarves!  And this one would actually be great for Halloween would it not?

$14.95

http://store.heliotropehome.com/fucrscsc.html

Indiana wine shipping laws...

ARE DUMB!

They're so complicated that wineries just don't bother with Indiana.  We CAN buy directly from the winery but only if we go there in person first and fill out all this fun paperwork.  (At first we didn't have to...then we did...then we didn't again...)

You can see how this is frustrating.

Yes, we do have a plethora of stores in which to buy wines from all over...but they don't cover everything!  And being a wino, I want to be able to buy wine from wherever I want without campaign contributors silencing the consumer voice.

Let me buy my damn wine!

If you support this position, please visit http://www.vinsense.org/ and click 'Join Now' on the side there showing your support.

The legislation and summary are best described on this blog:

http://www.goodgrape.com/index.php/site/the_wine_consumer_speaks/

Perfectly said...gave me chills...

Especially around the five minute mark or so...

Grant Day is ONE!!!

Check out my SJL Image Art blog for more pics of this cutie from his first birthday party!

Brown County, IN Pics...

See my SJL Image Art blog for more...

Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama...

I hold so much respect for Colin Powell. If he were to have run for President (and I so wish he had), I would have voted for him in a heartbeat.

From the article...

Powell said he has some concerns about the direction of the Republican Party, adding that it has "moved more to the right than I would like to see it."

That statement from a Republican...see...you don't have to agree with "your" political party. And if disagree enough...it's really okay to vote for 'the other guy' and I'm glad to see that he is!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/19/colin.powell/index.html

On this Day in History...

That's right I'm bringing it back!!!

Mostly because this was too good...

1814 - London Beer Flood

In the London parish of St. Giles in the United Kingdom at the Meux and Company Brewery on Tottenham Court Road, a huge vat containing over 135,000 gallons of beer ruptured, causing other vats in the same building to succumb in a domino effect.

As a result, more than 323,000 gallons of beer burst out and gushed into the streets. The wave of beer destroyed two homes and crumbled the wall of the Tavistock Arms pub, trapping the barmaid under the rubble.

The wave left 9 people dead: 8 due to drowning, one from alcohol poisoning.

The brewery was eventually taken to court over the accident, but the disaster was ruled to be an "Act of God" by the judge and jury, leaving no one responsible.

(I doubt very much that would be the verdict today)

What NOT to feed your pet...

We are all guilty of giving our furry friends people food...but there are some that you should really be careful with!!!
.
NO-NOs for Cats & Dogs

- Alcoholic beverages

- Chocolate (Halloween is here...busy time for vets...keep the chocolate AWAY)
- Coffee
- Grapes & raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food (EW! If you wouldn't eat it don't give it to them!)
- Onions, garlic & chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit

- Yeast dough

.

Pets often times take the same medicines people do for ailments. One of my cats, Zeus, takes aminophylin, furosemide, and prednisone for his heart condition...all 'people meds'. But some people meds can be very harmful...some that we may think wouldn't be so bad...

-NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, and can cause serious problems even in minimal doses. Pets are extremely sensitive to their effects, and may experience stomach and intestinal ulcers and—in the case of cats—kidney damage.

-Acetopminophen - Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen, which can damage red blood cells and interfere with their ability to transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause liver damage and, at higher doses, red blood cell damage.

-Vitamin D derivatives - Even small exposures to Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriene and calcitriol can cause life-threatening spikes in blood calcium levels in pets. Clinical signs of exposure—including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased urination and thirst due to kidney failure—often don't occur for more than 24 hours after ingestion.

-Pseudoephedrine is a popular decongestant in many cold and sinus products, and acts like a stimulant if accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it causes elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures.

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And here are some plants to keep away from them too...

-Lilies

-Tulips (bulbs)

-Oleander

-Yew

-Amaryllis

-Chrysanthemum

*Info came from the ASPCA

Is it hot in here or is my heart just melting?...

How. Freakin'. Precious. is this???

Story at this link:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1793356.ece

People buy this?...

Enough with the negative vibes around here...seriously!!!

So...how's this for funny...or maybe it's sad.  I don't know.  :)

I found these for sale at TJ Maxx a while back and just couldn't help taking a picture to share with you all!!!

This is NOT a Christmas tree-topper!!! It is just supposed to sit somewhere and look *cough* ...pretty?

I seriously picked them up to see (an I expected to) a hollow bottom in order to stick on top of your Christmas tree...but no.

WOW

I mean...I know TJ Maxx is where clothes and items people don't buy go but...oooh, I thought they had slightly higher standards!  These things weren't cheap either!!!

AHHHHHHHHHH everyone run from the pink glitter vomit angel!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous...

I will be moderating comments from now on and deleting what I consider to be ignorant comments...that is...if you have nothing good to say to back up your opinion, no one else will see your comment.
You can have a difference of a opinion from me, that's fine, that's America, that's human nature. But don't just shell out insults with nothing to back it up.
My readers and I are not interested in reading garbage like that.

And with that...I will now go back and delete the Anons.


*Updated*
Cool...I was just compared to Hitler...awesome.

Apparently 'Anonymous' doesn't like that I have chosen to moderate the comments. Whatever makes you sleep better at night 'Anonymous'. If it's insulting me...so be it.

All I ask is that you think for yourselves...

I am so sick of people falling for whatever the press or other people tell them! 

NEWSFLASH! Not everything you hear or even see on TV is the truth!!! 
So why do people hear it an accept it at once?!

Very rarely do we ever get the full story.  We hear what they want us to hear.  If some radio personalities go out into the street to interview some black voters on why they support Obama but use McCain policies to make these people look stupid...you can bet we are NOT going to hear from those that called out the interviewer on the errors.  They wanted to make a point and they found a few people to do that with and we don't hear at all from the (hopefully more) people that said "Obama's policy is not to keep fighting the war and he's pro-choice not pro-life...AND Palin is McCain's VP not Obama's". Did you get this radio clip via email too?
PLEASE understand that stuff like this is edited in whatever way those people want it to be.  There could have been 20 people that said 'you're wrong' and they let us hear the three people that either didn't catch what they said or (what they were trying to make a point about) really didn't know what Obama's policies were and were just voting for him because he's black.  (Half black, half white by the way)

Do yourself a favor and look up information that is 'fed' to you before really believing it.  Verify!!! 
(Do this for those stupid emails that are sent around like "your birth control pill will give you a stroke!"... http://www.snopes.com/

Wikipedia is an excellent resource too! 

With all the slander ads saying so & so will do this & that in office...make sure that's actually true before you go running around denouncing that person to others.  Both sides are guilty.
http://www.factcheck.org/

Newsflash for those I haven't set straight yet:  Obama is NOT Muslim! He is a Christian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obama

PS - And he's UBER-COOL because we have the same birthday!!! 

I frickin' love Betty White...

A Holocaust Love Story...

Thanks Randi T....it was too good not to pass on...

A beautiful love story...almost made me cry...definitely gave me chills. I hope the proposed movie does the story justice...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/10/13/holocaust.love.story.ap/index.html

also here...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081012/ap_en_ot/holocaust_love_story;_ylt=AlJ4egcWdnmgjSfnJROvV1us0NUE

Lunch Today...

Salmon, mashed potatoes, green beans, a dinner roll, and one small cookie (not shown). All from across the street...Marsh Supermarket.

Yes, it's THAT noticeable!...

More uber-cute shoes...

Ugh, the camera on my phone sucks. But aren't these shoes FAB?!?!

Oooh, I just took a close up...I don't know if this really helps or not...

"Life, uh...finds a way."...

(To quote Dr. Ian Malcolm on Jurassic Park)

Scientists have confirmed the second case of a "virgin birth" in a shark.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/10/shark.virgin.birth.ap/index.html

Nature amazes me.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
-Pup carried by female blacktip shark contains no male genetic material
-Scientist: "This is something female sharks of many species can do on occasion"
-Virgin birth has been proven in some bony fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds
-Virginia aquarium case is nation's second; first was in Nebraska

Let's chat about the stock market...

So our 401k guy was in this morning to talk about what is happening and to tell us all not to kill ourselves.  It was so funny because half of what he said is what Rob and I have said to each other about it.

Ok so...in the last 6 days we're down 15%.  Scary?  Yes.  Should you pull out all of your money and run? No.  A few reasons for that...

1) "I've lost so much money!  I've lost so much money!"

Have you really?  (I know you are thinking...duh, yes)

You (and I'm including me in this) have lost money on paper. You haven't lost real money...yet.  As soon as you pull it out...then you've lost money.  The stock market fluctuates...this is not news.  There are highs and lows and that's how it should be...and we are obviously in a low.  It WILL rise again.  And if you "stay the course" you will be fine.

2)  If everyone panics and pulls out it will only make matters worse. 

3)  You know the 'sell high, buy low' rule?  What better time to buy than now?  And that will help stimulate the market as well.  You get more shares for your money and it WILL grow, the economy will get better, it always does.  In fact, he said that if you are a conservative investor...you might think about putting more into the aggressive stocks. 

Now...will it get better soon?

What's your definition of 'soon'?

It will not happen overnight.

People that are wanting to retire within 2-3 years are the ones that have any reason to worry.  They may want to wait a little longer...if they can. 

Younger folks...just ride it out...invest now if you can!!!  It's the smart thing to do!  If you have the money, IF you can AFFORD IT...invest now.  And even though AIG is an insurance company, he urged us to invest in insurance.  Just not AIG.  :)  Nationwide is good (yes he is with Nationwide) but also Midland.  Midland has ZERO debt.  AIGs problem was they got in over their head in the mortgage biz and didn't know what they are doing AND no one was regulating them...why? because they had lobbyists in DC.

This whole thing is the government's fault.  They do things backwards.  (Shocking news, I know)  They monitor the little guys like they are about to get on a plane with a bomb but let the big guys that can actually make a dent in our economy run free.  They look the other way because they get money from them. 

Where do you think Uncle Sam gets the money for these bailouts, the war, emergency funds?  Us.  Duh.

Why do we get interest when our money is in a bank?  Because they are borrowing from us.  That's how it works.  It's our loan to them.  And the whole insured bank thing?  There's a lovely little clause that hardly any of us know about.  Yes...the bank HAS to pay us our money...but they have 99 years to do it. 

But don't pull your money out of the bank either.  Just stay the course, don't panic.  This too shall pass. 

BUT...the government needs to start doing things right side up too.  And the bailout isn't necessarily right-side-up.  That money is coming from us.  The US is in debt...how will they make it up?  Taxes.  I think Washington should be wiped out and replaced with middle class folks.  Folks who aren't protected from all these taxes and know what it's like to live paycheck to paycheck.  Folks who don't think "well, I get $500,000 a year, I'm fine".

God there's so much I could say here but I get so frustrated.  So I'm just going to stop.

Anyway...I stopped contributing to my 401k a couple years ago to use that money to pay down some credit card debt. That was on the advice of this dude.  (It makes sense and yes I do trust him.  Plus he lives in my hometown...bonus points to him)  But I'm going to start contributing again because it's the smart thing to do.  I can't afford to contribute much, but I never could and I ended up with more than I thought I would in a short time.  NOW with being in the ebb..."buy low"...it only makes sense.  I will get more for my buck right now and it will pay off later.

This just in...
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/09/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?postversion=2008100910
The Dow below 9,000...first time since 2003

Talk about a lolcat!!!

Sound is a MUST!!!

What does sound look like?...

see more crazy cat pics

Endagered Species of the Week...

Being the animal/nature lover that I am I thought I'd start this little gem...
Take it or leave it, but I feel strongly that if we can help prevent the loss of a species we need to do it!

The Ocelot...

Where?   Mostly South America, but also some parts of the US.  It is the US sub-species that is in the greatest danger.

Why?   Deforestation & habitat destruction; small litter size & high infant mortality; killed for their fur

When?   They've been on the endangered list since March of 1972

Coincidentally, I found this cnn.com article today...after I posted this.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/06/endangered.mammals.ap/index.html

Survey Fun...

(from Randi T.)

I have a headache so I'm feeling very creative today...

Do you wear a ring on your finger?

My wedding rings always and sometimes some others.
Where are you right now?
Work...shhh, don't tell anyone.

What are you doing?
Just checking email and facebook before diving into work.

Do you wish you could turn back the hands of time?
Not really.

Are you mad at anyone?
I don't think so

Would you ever get back with an ex?
NO

Who is the last person you hung out with?
I hung out with a crapload of folks at a bonfire on Saturday night...a bunch of high school buds and a bunch of people I didn't know.
When is the next time you'll talk to the person you like or love?
Email...probably sporadically during the day.  In person, when he picks me up after work.

Have you ever thought about getting your nose pierced?
Thought about it but that's about it.

Can you trust most people?
You earn my trust, it's not freely given.  One of my flaws I guess.

Do you enjoy life?
Yes.  Who answers no to this?  I'm worried about these people.

How did you and your number 2 become friends?
My hubby is my bff! :)  We met in high school, we became very good friend then, but it took a few years for us to date.
My best girl friend(s) I met as a Purduette!

What do you do on the weekends?
Changes all the time but I work on my photography stuff, do 'photo walks', be crafty (make jewelry and stuff), blog, work around the house, etc.

Do you like to cuddle?
Of course!

What color shirt are you wearing?
black & white funky floral design

Are you someone's best friend?
didn't we cover this?

Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
campaign ads...I'm so ready for it to be over. And so ready to stop hearing ignorant people complain.

Do you have any tattoo/ piercings?
Piercings yes, tattoo...not yet

Do you think your first love affects the way you go on with life?
Hmmmmm, I don't think so...I can't think of how.  We're still friends though.

Who is your last text from and what does it say?
From Rob (aka hubby), it was a funny forward from another friend.

Burger King or Wendy's?
Hmmmm, just depends on my mood...but Wendy's does have the Frosty!

Latest you stayed up in the past week?
About 1am on Saturday for the party

Whats your middle name?
Jo

How big is your bed?
Queen

What are you listening to right now?
My ipod...Bleed it Out by Linkin Park right at this second.

What did you do last night?
Got pizza from Hungry Howie's and vegged on the couch watching DVRd Kitchen Nightmares

What was the last thing you ate?
cinnamon oatmeal, still drinking my orange juice

Last person you hugged?
my mom

How is the weather right now?
according to my weather desktop...54 degrees but clear and sunny...high in the high 70s


Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Elizabeth on Saturday before the party

What is the first thing you notice in the opposite sex?
Eyes & smile

Do you want children?
Eventually

Favorite holiday?
Christmas

Favorite Season?
Spring, Summer, Fall...it depends on which one is coming up  :)

Have you ever cried over a girl/boy?
Yes

Last Movie you Watched?
I think it was The Holiday, then we started Mission Impossible 3 but didn't get to finish it.

What book are you reading?
Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix
Craft, Inc
The Saint, the Surfer, and the CEO
and some photography books

Favorite college football Team?
Purdue or Notre Dame
What were you doing before filling this out?
caught up on emails/facebook

Any pets?
Yep
Dogs or cats?
2 cats

Who would you like to see right now?
a migraine pill.  oh WHO not what....a pharmacist

Have you ever fired a gun?
Yes

Do you like to travel by plane?
Yea

Right-handed or Left-handed?
right
If you could go to any place right now where would you go?
wine country in California or England

Are you missing someone?
Yes

Do you eat fish?
I ate a pound of crab legs yesterday  :)

The Red Event

Last night was a mild success...I didn't sell a whole lot but I had a lot of interest, questions, and people taking my card.  I may have even gotten a photo gig out of it. 
I actually sold more jewelry than photos...something I decided to do at the last minute.  I'm going to be opening a shop on etsy.com when I have time to sit down and do it!  I saw some other crafty items there that are uber cute (like the enameled flower pin I have in my hair today) that I want to check out making too!

Anyway...
I'm not really disappointed as the experience and exposure were great!  Rob came with me (thank goodness...just to have someone to talk to!) and he and I talked about ideas to make it better/easier for potential customers, marketing, etc.

Here are some pics...

I feel more pressure to get a working/orderable website going and I'm itching to the etsy shop soon!  Of course, I'll keep you all updated!

Today is Launch Day...

This evening is my first event for SJL Image Art. It is basically a small art fair at a benefit party. (Benefiting the little red door cancer agency)

I'm pretty much ready. I don't have exactly what I want to sell, I wanted more larger pictures to sell, but the timeframe was so tight; I knew I wouldn't be able to do all that I wanted. I will be selling framed photos and also just the prints. I also made some necklaces to have something else of interest (my sub-company SJL arts), I think I ended up with seven made.

I will take my camera and take some photos of the event and of my table and of course I will report on it tomorrow.

I'm not sure what to expect. I certainly hope I don't have to haul too much back home. But I don't want to have too high of expectations and then be disappointed.

My next step after this is to get a working website going. I want people to be able to click and buy and I don't know how to do that...so I need to recruit help.

But I'm also checking into just selling on etsy.com. That allows me to also sell my jewelry and any other crafty crafts I decide to make.

"The world is my oyster"...as they say.

So I'm excited and also a little nervous. My husband has graciously accepted my invite to help me and keep me company which I so very much appreciate.

.

Wish me luck and send happy thoughts and good vibes! (Like...to sell out! How sweet would that be?)

.

Maybe I'll watch Matt again...that always makes me feel happy & inspired.

.

If this doesn't make you laugh...check your pulse...

50 Years of NASA...

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the NASA program. 

50 years...

I highly recommend watching When We Left the Earth on Discovery if you can catch it.  It chronicles the NASA missions from the beginning to present.  Frankly, it's amazing we ever succeeded at space flight let alone landing on the moon.  (And don't go there...we did land on the moon, it wasn't filmed in some studio somewhere)

It really is amazing what we've accomplished and it shouldn't be taken for granted.